CLUBCALL

MENAPIANS: Menapians Athletics Club will resume training on September 15. The times and venues are as follows: Wednesdays: 6-7 p.m. Presentation School Gym for all 7, 8 and 9 year olds. Thursday 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Presentation School Gym for all other juveniles up to 16.

This is the start of our Winter training programme for all our juveniles, these sessions will continue up to December 16. Track sessions will also be taking place over the winter months,and also throwing sessions.

Times and venues wiil be announced over the next few weeks.

The senior training programme is also finalised and will be available in the next few days.

Menapians AC now have 23 coaches within the club and have set up a new coaching structure to cater for all events, sprints, throws, jumps, middle distance and hurdles.

Our membership has increased over the last couple of seasons and looks like doing so again this year. 2011 is a big year for the club, we will be celebrating our tenth birthday and hope to put on some special events over the coming season.

New members are welcome to join Menapians, just call club secretary Ann O'Neill on 9146210 or 0863819198 or contact any committee member.

CLONARD BADMINTON

Tuesday, September 7, heralded in the return of badminton in Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts. A dozen players ventured onto the courts and it was as if the summer has flown. Club nights will be the same as last year; Tuesday and Thursday. Adults have the courts to themselves on Tuesdays, while the juvenile members operate from 7:30 until 9:00 on Thursdays. More information is available from Clem Daly at 087 741 5151.

The juvenile members had a rehersal for the October Leinster B tournament which will be held in Baldoyle on October 2nd and 3rd. Entry forms are with the secretary. Cory Mahon collected the gold medal. Megan Doyle and Ryan D'Arcy were in second place, six points behind, while there was a tie for third, where Shaun Donohue and Niamh Healy could not be separated from Eoin Hickey and Rhys Connor. The other players were satisfied with lollipops. It is proposed to hold these impromptu competitions on a monthly basis.

WEXFORD VIXENS

Wexford Vixens get season off to a smashing start: Sunday the 12th saw Wexford Vixens travel to Barnhall for this seasons opening blitz. Going in as the underdog, having been newly promoted to Division 3, the side have set high standards for themselves this season. Sunday saw the girls reaping the benefits of a powerful pre-season schedule when they came away, having won out their Division 3 section. The Vixens came away with wins against hosts Barnhall, Newbridge and Portarlington. They also escaped narrowly with a 0-0 draw against the powerful Garda side. Although escaping with victory, the Wexford girls commented on the high standard, of both fitness and skills alike, insisting that a lot of hard work and dedication needs to be continuous if the girls are to continue with the high standard they have set themselves.

Furthermore to the blitz, Leinster coach Dan Van Zyl and his assistants were in attendance, with a keen eye to spot up and coming talent in the province, as the second part of the recent Leinster Women's screening.

Vixens go international: Wexford Ladies will take on their first ever international game on Saturday 18th, kick-off at 5:30 p.m. when they will see a touring Spainish side visit as part of their preseason training. Supporters welcome!! As always the Wexford Vixens are on the lookout for new players, so whether you've played before or your looking to try your hand at a new sport, come along to our training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at Park Lane Wexford.

DUNBRODY ARCHERS

We had record numbers of archers attend our shoot which was held recently. Almost 100 archers took part from all over the country, including Cork, Longford, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, Offaly, Limerick and Waterford.

We had a large contingent of club archers present also.

The day was lovely and the woods were in prime condition after a lot of work was done on preparing it recently. We had set up a completely new half of the course with 18 3D targets.

Thanks to all who assisted with these preparations.

Thanks to the marshals - David Sinnott (New Ross), Larry Kehoe (New Ross) and Bill O'Donoghue (Glenmore). Thanks also to Eric and IAC for the loan of the high-vis clothing.

The competition was fierce and many high scores were obtained. Well done to all 12 Dunbrody victors.

Well done to all our competitors, especially those who did well on their first competitive shoot. In all a total of 46 archers took part from the club which in itself was an impressive feat.

Good luck to the newest I.F.A.F. club from nearby Waterford, 'Na Laoch Dall' (The Blind Warrior), established by two members from our club recently. This is great for archery in Ireland, especially in the south-east area. We wish Thomas Colclough and Martin Murphy the very best of luck in their new venture and are sad to see them leave our club.

Dunbrody Archers will be participating in the Community Celebration day in New Ross town park on Saturday, September 26, from 2-5 p.m.

This will be a free event and anyone wishing to give archery a try is more than welcome to come to our shooting range near the running track for a go. An introduction to archery will be available from our experienced personnel.

Well done to Micheál Irwin from Graiguenamanagh who finished second in the two-day I.A.A.A. Irish open recently, narrowly losing out on a win after an exciting shoot-off. Very well done Micheál.

Local cycling club, Slipstream C.C., took on the task of staging two events for the combined A2 and A3 race plus an A4 race over the 24 km. circuit around Craanford, Camolin and Gorey recently.

Eighty riders signed on that morning to take part in very damp conditions. When the combined race hit the hill in Craanford, a break of seven opened a gap on the climb, with three more riders bridging the gap soon after.

The first KOH was taken by local man Declan Kinch of Slipstream C.C. on lap two, and the lap three KOH went to Dungarvan C.C.

The break by lap four were over two and a half minutes up on the chasing group, and when it came to the finish line the victory went to a Junior rider, Gavin Nulty of the Stamullen C.C., who just out passed the rest of his rivals in the gallop for glory.

The A4 event was won in fine form by Pat McCaffery of Wexford Wheelers as he led the charge for the line, with teammate Dave Allen showing good form too as he gets back in the saddle after a 20year break .

The race was well marshalled, and organiser Sam D'Arcy would like to say many thanks to some of the members of the local Goldwing club, Ciarán and Barry, the Gardaí, club members from Slaney C.C. and the Irish R.C., and our own members too that turned out in force to marshal and drive lead cars. Thanks to the public for their co-operation while the events took place.